Sixty workers at the Salvation Army's Booth Centre are on strike as of 3 p.m. Friday.
The unionized workers had been in a legal strike position for over two weeks and said they're looking for pay that's in line with other Ottawa shelter agencies.
"You have employees here who are one step away being a client at the Salvation Army," said worker Larry Rousseay.
"Part of our mission statement here at the Salvation Army is about respecting each other and respecting needs," said union member Jen Chomcey. "They seem to be forgetting our needs."
Strikers said they're looking for a five per cent raise. Currently, the highest paid worker at the Byward Market shelter makes $18 an hour.
The Salvation Army said it's offered them a wage increase of more than seven per cent over three years and a $500 signing bonus.
It said there are plans in place to keep servicing its clients during a strike.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Stefanie Masotti
